Did you know Alaskans have a duty to retreat if attacked by a bear? Alaskan legislation governing the killing of bears states: “You may kill a bear in defense of your life or property if you did not provoke an attack or cause a problem by negligently leaving human or pet food or garbage in a manner that attracts bears and if you have done everything else you can to protect your life and property.” So, onto our story [via newsline.com] . . .
[11-year-old] Elliot Clark was returning from a fishing trip with his uncle, great-uncle, and cousin when the animal appeared from the woods near Game Creek in Port Frederick on Chichagof [sic] Island . . .
The bear bustled the two men aside, facing down Elliot and his cousin, who was unarmed. The boy then raised his shotgun and fired a birdshot, a smaller gauge of shotgun shell used to scare off bears.
“That first shot hit him in the shoulder and did absolutely nothing. The next shot hit him in the nose and traveled down through the neck,” said [Elliot’s father] Lucas.
A third shot forced the bear to the ground, and a fourth killed it.
Young master Clark is one lucky son of a gun. My takeaway: when the sh*t hits the fan, run what your brung and man-up. Like Elliot Clark.
